UGC

With effect from academic year 2024-25, for which academic sessions begin from October 2024, UGC has introduced a new procedure for the students enrolling in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) or Online Learning programs, to ensure enrolment only in the Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) approved by the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) of University Grants Commission, with an aim to enhance transparency in admissions.

During 2022, UGC had abolished the M.Phil. programs in India, in accordance with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 - NEP 2020. The Section 14 of the UGC gazetted notification, "University Grants Commission (Minimum Standards and Procedures for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022", dated 7th November, 2022, stated that "Grant of M.Phil. Degree.- Higher Educational Institutions shall not offer the M.Phil.(Master of Philosophy) programme".

The University Grants Commission of India - UGC, notified the Redressal of Grievances of Students Regulations, 2023, in the Official Gazette on 11 April 2023.

Under these Regulations, all universities existing in India (1163 as on today's date) were asked to appoint Ombudsperson(s) for the redressal of grievances of students, within 30 days of the notification, i.e., latest by 10 May 2023. Letters addressed to all heads of universities were sent by UGC to this effect on 12 April 2023. Further, as per UGC, this was followed with several reminders.